Application of quinoline derivatives in third-generation photovoltaics

Abstract

Among many chemical compounds synthesized for third-generation photovoltaic applications, quinoline derivatives have recently gained popularity. This work reviews the latest developments in the quinoline derivatives (metal complexes) for applications in the photovoltaic cells. Their properties for photovoltaic applications are detailed: absorption spectra, energy levels, and other achievements presented by the authors. We have also outlined various methods for testing the compounds for application. Finally, we present the implementation of quinoline derivatives in photovoltaic cells. Their architecture and design are described, and also, the performance for polymer solar cells and dye-synthesized solar cells was highlighted. We have described their performance and characteristics. We have also pointed out other, non-photovoltaic applications for quinoline derivatives. It has been demonstrated and described that quinoline derivatives are good materials for the emission layer of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and are also used in transistors. The compounds are also being considered as materials for biomedical applications.

Fig. 1

Heterojunction polymer solar cell; a architecture, and b energy diagram

Fig. 2

The architecture of DSSCs

Fig. 3

Chemical structure: a quinoline; b 2H-pyrano[2,3-b] quinoline; c benzo[h] quinoline, structure adapted from[30]; d 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives (R is substituent); structure adapted from [78]

Fig. 4

Quinoline derivatives and their chemical formulas: organic compounds (2-cyano-3-(2,6-dimethoxyquinolin-3-yl) acrylic acid (Q1), 2-cyano-3-(2,5,6,7-tetramethoxyquinolin-3-yl)acrylic acid (Q2), 2-cyano-3-(6-ethyl-2-methoxy-6H-pyrido[3,2-b]car- bazol-3-yl)acrylic acid (Q3), 2-cyano-3-(7-ethyl-3-methoxy-7H-pyrido[2,3-c]carbazol-2-yl)acrylic acid (Q4), 2-methyl-N,N-diphenylquinazolin-6-amine (Q5),N,N-bis(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-methylquinazolin-6-amine (Q6),2-methyl-N,N-diphenylquinolin-6-amine (Q7),N,N-bis(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-methylquinolin-6-amine (Q8),(E)-2-cyano-3-(6-(diethylamino)quinolin-2-yl)acrylic acid (Q9),(E)-2-cyano-3-(6-(3,6-dimethoxy-9H-carbazol-9-yl)quinolin-2-) acrylic acid (Q10), 2-amino-6-ethyl-5-oxo-4-(3-Ph)-5, 6-dihydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-3-carbonitrile (Q11), 2-amino-4-(2-Cl)-6-ethyl-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline-3-carbonitrile (Q12) and metal complexes (tris-8-hydroxy-quino- linato aluminium (Alq3) (Q13),[Ru(p-F-tpy)(pcqH)Cl]PF6 (F-TPY 40-(4-fluoro phenyl)- terpyridine, pcqH 2- (2-pyridyl)-4-carboxyquinoline) (Q14), 2,6-bis(4-carboxy-5-chloroquinolin-2-yl)pyridine (Q15), [Ru{2,6-bis(4-carboxy-5-chloroquinolin-2-yl) pyridine}Cl3] (Q16), 2 - bis[2-(2,2′-bithien-5-yl)-4-phenylquinolinato-C4,N]iridium(III) (2,4-pentanedionato-O2,O4) - [Ir(q-bt-Ph)2(acac)] (Q17),4-carboxy-2-(2′-pyrdyl) quinoline (Hmcpq) (Q18), cis-[Ru(H2dcpq)2(NCS)2] (2;H2dcpq′4-carboxy-2-[2′-(4′-carboxypyridyl)]quinoline) (Q19))